We at GMLD were pleased to be invited to update the lighting on the iconic spiral ramp at Ottawa’s Via Station. Designed by John B. Parkin & Associates and completed in 1966, the train station is a monument to the International architectural style in Ottawa. It is always an honour to work on outstanding architecture, and it is a bonus that it photographs so beautifully. The building received heritage designation in 1996.

Updating the light fixtures in the spiral ramp from linear fluorescent to linear LED was a significant contributor to their renovation’s recent LEED Gold Certification. GMLD guided the client through the lighting upgrade process, ensuring that the selected equipment was built to last as well as the building itself.

There are many paths to upgrade a lighting system to LED, unfortunately many organizations in the retrofit market are focused only on energy savings at the expense of colour temperature, colour rendering and overall light output. Involving a lighting designer in your LED retrofit will help ensure that the original lighting design intent is maintained, and that the architecture continues to deliver it’s message as intended.

GMLD specializes in lighting for heritage rehabilitations – both in “antique” heritage like the West Block and Supreme Court of Canada, and in “vintage” heritage, like the Ottawa Via Rail Station, the Lester B. Pearson Building and Toronto’s TD Centre. For example, GMLD has been a trusted lighting designer for the Toronto Dominion Centre in Toronto for decades, assisting with generations of maintenance, renovations and technology upgrades.

The lessons learned from a heritage lighting upgrade apply to any lighting project in an existing building – undertake some sleuthing to discover the original design intent, limitations and opportunities of the space, respect the fabric of the building, and support the architectural message. We strive to take the same level of care with all of our projects, new and old. Please get in touch with us to discuss your lighting upgrade!

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